larly the stupendous ruins of the ancient abbey, of which Mr. Kendall has given us a very accurate engraving in its present state, which being engrafted as it were by many well-built houses, erected within the strong cemented arches, give it a peculiar effect, and adds greatly to the curiosity of the picture. He has likewise, by way of explanation, furnished us with an interesting part of its history, saying, "This structure was, in the time of its perfection, accounted the largest church in England, being two hundred and forty feet broad, and five hundred and thirteen feet in length. It had five aisles, and was exceedingly lofty. Its inside was enriched with the most beautiful work in carving and gilding, exclusive of many stately monuments, which were erected over the remains remains of royal and noble personages, whose interments in the church were numerous. Among these were St. Edmund, King and Martyr. "Constantia, Countess of Richmond, daughter of William the Conqueror, by Lady Matilda, daughter of the Earl of Flanders. 66 Richmond, the Conqueror's nephew, who landed with William, and shared the command in the famous battle of Hastings. "His brother and successor Allen Niger, Earl of Brittany and Richmond. "Thomas Plantagenet, son of King Edward the First, by Lady Margaret, daughter of Philip King of France, Earl Marshal of England and Earl of Norfolk. "Thomas Thomas of Beaufort, son of John of Gaunt, by the Lady Caroline Swinford. "Mary Tudor, Queen of Louis the Twelfth, King of France, and sister of King Henry the Eighth. John of Lydgate, the famous poet, Monk of this Abbey. "Robert the Martyr, who was crucified by the Jews. "Sir William Elmham. "Sir William Tressel. "Sir William Spencer, &c. &c. and most of the Lord Abbots." Dugdale speaks but little of this place, nor does any other monastical writer; but perhaps this may proceed from want of proper records, (many of which were destroyed at the dissolution of the great Abbey,) which would have given them a just and fair authority for a true and more particular information in respect to the annals of this memorable town and its Gothic relics: It is a pity, and a great loss to the curious who take pleasure in making researches of this nature, that more of its history has not been preserved, as there are many other visible and striking marks of antiquity, which testify that Bury St. Edmund's has once been a place of very considerable consequence as well as grandeur. Norwich, next to London and Bristol, is one of the largest cities in England, has the narrowest streets, and the largest market-place that is to be seen any where, except Covent Garden Garden and Smithfield in London; and they have to boast of its being as plentifully supplied with all the good things of the earth as any market in the three kingdoms. The cathedral is a large building, much more extensive than either of the churches at Bury St. Edmund's, but by no means so elegant as St. Mary's at the latter place; nor is there that respectable history about it. In Norwich there are thirty-three churches, which shew that religion was more attended to and revered by our ancestors than it is at the present day, unless by the fanatical sectaries in Moorfields and Tottenham Courtroad, where the furious preachers seem to be hand and glove with the great Creator |